Ann Patchett

Fifteen years later, I can attest that this is true.

We have raised up a raft of customers.

But over time, this charming bit of wisdom has changed.

I don't think of it as cultivating shoppers anymore.

I think of it as cultivating readers, and not just for the books I write or the books I sell, but for all books.

I've come to believe that if you're interested in living in a society where people read, it's also your responsibility to cultivate readers.

What does that even mean?

Well, reading to children the same way people read to us.

You can buy books for children who are in Title I schools who might not have books of their own.

We do a lot of this at Parnassus.

You can speak out against book banning.

because books are not the things endangering our children.

And speak up for teachers and librarians who are doing the jobs that they've been trained for.

Also, you can just read a book.

Do you wish that people read books instead of, say, constantly scrolling on their phones?

Then read books.

Do you want your children to be readers?

Then model that behavior.

Of course you're going to read to them, but they also have to see you read.

Like all the people who told me not to open a bookstore, you may be wondering if books are even relevant in this golden age of technology.